Optimum End Tidal Sevoflurane Concentration Required for Intravenous Cannulation in Children

Background Inhalation mask induction is a cornerstone of pediatric anesthesia. Because of their natural aversion to needles, healthy children are usually anesthetized by mask prior to intravenous insertion. The early insertion of an intravenous access provides a means for administering fluids and drugs if an untoward event occurs during inhalational induction. Sevoflurane is the inhalation agent most commonly used for mask inductions in pediatric anesthesia, having largely replaced halothane for this purpose. Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the optimum end tidal concentration of Sevoflurane at which an intravenous cannulation can be successfully attempted without movement in pediatric patients. Patients and Methods In this clinical trial, pediatric subjects of either sex aged 2-5 years, weighing 10-20 kg were included. Results Showed that an end tidal sevoflurane of 1.46% has 50% probability for successful intravenous cannulation without movement in children. Conclusion We conclude that an end tidal sevoflurane of 1.46% has 50% probability for successful intravenous cannulation in un- premedicated children aged between 2 and 5 years.

Refractory Biliary Catheter Leak Corrected by a Hybrid Closed Loop Catheter-Pump System

The development of inoperable biliary obstruction in patients with liver, biliary, and pancreatic neoplasia is commonplace particularly in the advanced stages of these diseases. Under these circumstances, restoring bile flow to the gut is paramount in reestablishing homeostasis. Hitherto, this has been achieved by utilizing passive, gravity-dependent bilioenteric conduits with the use of perforated plastic catheters or metallic stents inserted either in a percutaneous transhepatic fashion or via endoscopic techniques. A frequent untoward event of biliary decompression utilizing percutaneous transhepatic catheters (PTC) is the development of pain, cholangitis, hyperbilirubinemia, or pericatheter bile leak due to the suboptimal normalization of bile flow. In some instances, the etiology of PTC malfunction can be correctly ascribed to catheter malposition and/or catheter lumen obstruction; however, in the majority, it remains radiographically occult on transcatheter cholangiography—the “gold standard.” Regardless of findings, the management remains fluoroscopic repositioning or exchanges for larger diameter catheters to attempt to seal the pericatheter potential space and prevent bile seepage. Unfortunately, these maneuvers are met with limited and unpredictable levels of success. We present the successful management of an instance of recalcitrant external pericatheter bile leak mitigated by employing a hybrid closed loop biliary catheter-pump system by employing an assortment of FDA approved off-the-shelf medical devices.

Temporal insular glioma–rare case report for a venous air embolism

Background Venous air embolism (VAE) is a well-known entity in the field of neuroanesthesia, with established surgeries and positions where its occurrence is high. The insular cortex is a deep area within the lateral sulcus, and surgeries in this area are not reported to develop VAE. Case presentation A young male being operated on the insular cortex developed VAE, had cardiac arrest, was revived, and was extubated with no residual deficit due to the untoward event. Conclusions An anesthesiologist should always be prepared for this complication due to its rapid presentation and fatal consequences.

Reducing pressure ulcers in care homes in Barnet: a quality improvement project

Pressure ulcers are increasingly seen as an untoward event for patients. While there has been a strong focus on patients in the acute sector, community services have also had to be increasingly innovative in addressing this issue. Carers in care homes in the London borough of Barnet were identified as needing additional support to improve their knowledge and skills surrounding pressure ulcer prevention and treatment. An informal pilot training session showed that carers felt better equipped in terms of identifying new pressure ulcers and were able to escalate issues to district nurses in record time. Subsequently, there was a noticeable reduction in the reporting of pressure ulcers of categories 2 and above. In the present article, the authors describe the quality improvement project undertaken at Barnet care homes to prevent pressure ulcers.

Processes

A process is a course of change with a direction and internal order, where one stage leads on to the next. Processes can be physical (such as atomic decay), biological (such as the growth of living things), artificial (such as building a house) and social (such as carrying out a criminal investigation). Much of what is said about processes can be said about sequences of events. The concept of event, however, suggests a separate occurrence, whereas that of a process suggests something which is ongoing. There are matters, such as development in organisms, where to see what is happening as part of a process has an advantage over thinking of it as an event. Causes are generally spoken of as events, but the more dynamic concept of causal processes may get nearer to expressing the transition between cause and effect. Moreover, to explain something as a stage in a process can take account not only of what has happened in the past, but of what might happen in the future. This may (but need not) involve purpose; with organisms it involves development through functionally interrelated activities. In some social processes there can be a practical, moral significance in seeing a situation as a stage in a process, since this can encourage us to look to a further stage where something constructive might be brought out of what could otherwise be seen as simply an untoward event or an unhappy situation.

Effectiveness of dinoprostone vaginal pessary in induction of labour at term

Background: Induction of labour is a very common obstetric procedure worldwide. The ultimate goal of induction of labour is to achieve a successful vaginal delivery. Dinoprostone is a Prostaglandin (PGE2) which acts on the collagen structural network of the cervix and makes it favourable, thus increasing the chances of a successful of a vaginal delivery. This study emphasizes on the importance of having a proper induction protocol in place and at the same time judicious use of the agents for induction of labour. This will help to reduce the maternal anxiety and stress associated with the induction of labour. The present study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of dinoprostone vaginal pessary in induction of labour at term.Methods: Twenty patients with unfavorable cervix at term were studied for the effectiveness of Dinoprostone vaginal pessary in induction of labor.Results: Among the twenty patients 17 (85%) delivered vaginally within 18 hrs and 3 (15%) were in the active phase of labour. No untoward event was observed in any of the cases with a favorable neonatal outcome in all the cases.Conclusions: Present study shows that Dinoprostone vaginal pessary is a highly effective method of induction of labor at term in properly selected cases. It reduces consistently the number of internal examinations and thus reducing the risk of ascending infections adding to it's safety along with reduced maternal anxiety associated with induction of labour.

Procedural Sedation and Analgesia Facilitator – Expanded scope role for paramedics in the Emergency Department

Introduction Procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) is accepted as a standard of care in emergency departments (ED). PSA requires careful monitoring of a patient‟s cardio-respiratory status, and an ability to act immediately and appropriately in the event of any untoward event. The knowledge and skills necessary for this are a natural extension of the expertise of Advanced Care Paramedics (ACP). We report a series of PSA‟s conducted by ACPs over a 19 month period at a busy teaching hospital. Methods This is a retrospective descriptive study presenting data from a registry recording details of all cases of ACP-facilitated PSA conducted in our ED between August 1, 2004 and February 28, 2006. Baseline characteristics, indication for the procedure, medications used and adverse events are reported. Results 1334 ACP-facilitated PSAs were conducted during the period. According to definitions used by this study, „desaturation‟- a SaO2 of < 90% at any time during the procedure in patients with an initial SaO2 of > 95% occurred in only 11 (0.9%) patients, and „hypotension‟ – systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 85 mm Hg in patients with an initial SBP > 100 mm Hg occurred in 0.6% of patients. One significant adverse event was recorded, that of pulmonary aspiration. Medications used for PSA included fentanyl (94.1%of cases), propofol (65.5%), midazolam (36.7%) and ketamine (2.2%). Conclusion PSA conducted in the ED by specifically trained ACPs is not associated with a significant number of adverse effects. This role should be recognized and subjected to further study.

Case Study of a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter's Migration into the Pulmonary Artery

An untoward event took place in Australia in 2011 involving a patient whose entire peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) migrated into his pulmonary artery. At this particular rural hospital, a small vascular access team was initially formed; however, the PICC insertion procedure was taken over by a physician intensivist and his medical residents, who learned the procedure from him during their 3-month rotations. The distal portion of the patient's PICC, attached initially to a distal catheter-stabilizing device, dislodged and was drawn into the vein. The patient's PICC, now in his pulmonary artery, was retrieved via interventional radiology and the patient experienced no serious side effects from this event. This case highlights the importance of using only highly trained personnel who are familiar with the medical supplies to insert PICCs.

Scheduling Medical Procedures: How One Single Delay Begets Multiple Subsequent Delays

Background: Delay is a common feature of medical disease management. Delays occur because schedules are filled, patients forget their appointment, equipment is unavailable, or because medical and non-medical complications interfere with the planned procedure. The aim of the present analysis is to model how one single delay can lead to multiple subsequent delays.Methods: The consecutive stream of delays is analyzed in terms of a stochastic process comprising of a random sum of random time periods. Any untoward event causes a procedural delay, which provides a time window of opportunity for yet another delaying event to occur.Results: The stochastic model explains why even a single initial delay can easily lead to a multitude of subsequent delays. The expected overall delay is always longer than the initial delay caused by the deferment of the initial procedure. The analysis demonstrates how in individual patients an initially short delay may subsequently expand into days or weeks.Conclusion: Because a single delay can easily burgeon into a lengthy series of multiple delays, the primary goal should be to avoid the precipitating delay at the onset.